IN BRIEF

Thu, 2011-09-01 12:00

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against USGBC

A lawsuit alleging the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is misleading consumers and misrepresenting the energy performance of buildings certified under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems was dismissed by a New York District Court judge Aug. 15.

The suit, brought in October 2010 by energy-efficiency consultant Henry Gifford and others, was dismissed in its entirety. To read the court document, go to http://bit.ly/USGBC_lawsuit.

Cleaver-Brooks Providing Tools for Navigating new EPA Rules

Cleaver-Brooks has launched a new section of its Website — www.cleaverbrooks.com/epa — to help companies understand and comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) new regulations for boilers: the Major Source Rule (also known as Boiler MACT or BMACT) and the Area Source Rule.

Most boiler owners need to take immediate action to be in compliance with the new EPA rules. The first requirement is submitting an Initial Notification of Applicability, which is due by Sept. 17, 2011. The form and instructions for completing it are available on Cleaver-Brooks' Website.

Siemens Acquires Advanced Telemetry

Siemens Industry Inc. recently announced the acquisition of Advanced Telemetry LLC, a San Diego-based company offering end-to-end wireless and cloud-based energy-management solutions for retail and commercial businesses. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“The acquisition helps Siemens to solidify its range of energy-management and wireless solutions from very large buildings and campuses right down to smaller, 10,000-sq-ft-or-less franchised retail fast-food restaurants,” Rich Lattanzi, vice president of Control Products and Systems, Building Technologies Division, Siemens Industry, said.

John Crowe new President and CEO of CertainTeed

John Crowe is the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CertainTeed Corp., succeeding Peter Dachowski, who retired Aug. 31 after 35 years with CertainTeed and its parent company, Saint-Gobain.

Crowe, who also serves as president and CEO of Saint-Gobain's North American holding company, Saint-Gobain Corp., most recently served as president of Saint-Gobain's global abrasives business, with responsibility for more than 13,000 employees and 75 manufacturing facilities in 24 countries. Over 30 years, he has served in a wide range of leadership positions with Saint-Gobain, including president of the Performance Plastics and Crystals businesses.

Crowe holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University and a master's degree in business administration from Boston College. Also, he completed Columbia University's executive program in business administration.

Free Mobile Tool Calculates Energy Costs of HVAC Filters

A new analysis tool from Kimberly-Clark Filtration allows users to estimate the life-cycle cost and environmental impact of HVAC air filters via smart phone or other mobile device.

Users enter data into an easy-to-use form. The tool then calculates energy costs and annual carbon-dioxide emissions. The resulting data are available in tabular or graph format and can be sent to any e-mail account. Users can see calculations as well as a summary.

The tool, which is designed for variable-frequency- or variable-speed-fan systems, runs on all versions of iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile; on Symbian S60 and above; and on Blackberry 4.6 and above. It runs on Blackberry 4.5 with limited graphics.

CertainTeed Launches Online Pipe-Flow Calculator

A new online pipe-flow calculator from CertainTeed is intended to facilitate comparisons of water-distribution systems.

With the calculator, users can evaluate polyvinyl-chloride and high-density-polyethylene pipe across several factors influencing the cost of owning and operating a water-distribution network, including material cost, installation cost, flow, pressure, pumping energy requirements, and pumping energy costs.

AERCO International Relocates

AERCO International Inc., manufacturer of high-efficiency water heaters and boilers, recently moved its corporate headquarters to 100 Oritani Drive in Blauvelt, N.Y.

AERCO previously operated out of three facilities in Northvale, N.J.

With 156,000 sq ft of space, the new headquarters is more than twice the size of AERCO's former headquarters. The new facility consolidates all existing operations into one building.

The facility includes an expanded research-and-development laboratory, improved product-testing capabilities, a larger manufacturing area, and a new training center.

Armstrong International, Cleaver-Brooks Join Forces

Armstrong International and Cleaver-Brooks will present “Empowering Steam Best Practices” — a two-day interactive training program geared toward mechanical, facility, and energy engineers; plant supervisors; maintenance chiefs; and lead boiler operators — Nov. 1 and 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at Armstrong University in Three Rivers, Mich.

Tuition is $695 per student. Those who complete the program will earn 1.8 professional continuing-education unit.